NFL Sunday on Christmas Eve: Jets, Giants, Bengals, Cardinals, Chiefs and Raiders Among Teams Hoping For An Early Present

The Battle of New York is not an elimination game, though the winner will definitely be playing for a playoff spot in the final week, while the loser will be on the brink. The Jets likely hold the tiebreaker now over Cincinnati head to head on strength of victory, though it is not clinched. Thus, if the Jets get to 10-6 with wins over the Giants and Dolphins, they are probably in. A Jets loss throws open a whole host of possibilities for the Bengals or other teams with 7 losses to catch them. The Giants can be eliminated if they lose today and the Cowboys win. A Giants loss and a Cowboys loss later today, on the other hand, means that the Eagles are still alive and the Giants would not only need to beat the Cowboys, but need an Eagles loss to the Redskins in the final week.

In Kansas City, the rivalry game between the Chiefs and Raiders is practically an elimination game. The Chiefs are officially eliminated with a loss, while the Raiders would be eliminated from winning the AFC West, and need a miracle to get in as a wildcard at 8 losses. Meanwhile, a Denver win in Buffalo eliminates the Chiefs even if Kansas City wins.

Denver cannot win the AFC West outright today unless the Raiders lose. They can eliminate the Chiefs and Chargers from catching them if they beat Buffalo. A Broncos win also leaves them in great shape for a potential wildcard at 9-7, if the Jets and Bengals also lose once over the final two games.

Cincinnati and Arizona also meet in a game that both need. The Cardinals require plenty of help, in the form of two losses from either Detroit or Atlanta, plus a Seattle loss, in addition to winning out. They will have to do so in the cold of Cincinnati, where the Bengals probably need to get to 10 wins to have a chance at the post-season.

Tennessee’s loss last week to the Colts means that they need major help. It likely has little to do with them now, as the Texans may have no reason to play starters in the final week. The Titans would still need the Jets and Bengals to come back to them with a loss and likely have the AFC West runner-up not finish at 9-7 also.

At the top of the AFC, the Texans’ loss on Thursday makes it a three-team race for the top spot. New England controls the #1 seed if they win out, but a loss means that the AFC North Champ can surpass them (Baltimore on Strength of Victory tiebreaker, Pittsburgh on head to head). Baltimore is back in control of the AFC North after losing it for 24 hours with the San Diego loss. They need to handle the Browns at home to go into the final week against the Bengals with the upper hand.

[photo via Getty]